Minister of State for Ministry of Industries & Production Saradr Arshad Khan Laghari appreciated the role of APO to improve productivity in members countries. Director APO Mian Asad Hayaud Din thanks Secretary General, APO for deputing Technical Expert in Pakistan for improving productivity in various sectors. He also discussed about the hi-tech and value added industries potential in Pakistan.

Secretary-General, APO, Dr. Santhi Kanoktanaporn said that APO vows to support Pakistan in skill development for innovation and in productivity improvement through its Technical Expert Services for different sectors. He added that APO will promote bilateral and multilateral alliances among its 20 member countries. He also added the private sector needs to be taken onboard to run an effective productivity movement in Pakistan.

In the meeting with Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Mr. Sartaj Aziz, Dr. Santhi highlighted the importance of NPOs in developing countries. He stressed that National Productivity Organizations (NPOs) are playing a pivotal role in the national development of APO member countries e.g. NPOs in Singapore, Japan and Malaysia are playing a vibrant role in the growth of their countries. Similarly, NPO Pakistan should also be given a leading role for productivity improvement in Pakistan.

H.E. Prof. Ahsan Iqbal appreciated APO for providing support to develop a framework for Pakistan Productivity, Quality & Innovation (PPQI) Initiativeby deputing Dr. Woon, Kin Chung from Singapore. Dr. Santhi proposed that Pakistan should have a Strategic Foresight Unit in order to cope with the future challenges like Singapore developed such unit in 1996. The Minister appraised the proposal of Dr. Santhi and suggested its development under the umbrella of the Ministry of Planning, Development & Reform and with the support of technical expert services from APO.

Mr. Abdul Ghaffar Khattak, Chief Executive Officer, NPO Pakistan shared that adopted progressive strategy to work in multiple directions for productivity enhancement in the country e.g. NPO Pakistan has acquired APO technical support for developing energy efficient sustainable Demonstration companies in Pakistan. NPO also embarked upon a program on Material Flow Cost Accounting to eliminate waste by selecting companies from hospitality, food and engineering sectors, where handsome savings have been achieved. These Demonstration companies will become role models for other similar companies within the respective sectors. He also added that during first phase of PPQI Initiative, NPO intends to develop around 600 Productivity Practitioners which can later be utilized as consultants on productivity and value addition. Moreover, NPO will also introduce excellence awards under PQI Initiative in Pakistan.

Deputy Chairman thanked SG for visiting Pakistan and showed his willingness to develop the Strategic Foresight Unit with APO technical and to launch PPQI initiative with spirit.